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Friday 28 November 2014

Blue Fern Studios - November Sketch Challenge

 
 

Here is my layout

Beautiful

 

 
 
I spotted this beautiful shop in Ubud on a 'little' shopping expedition.
It caught my eye and we HAD to stop. I really wanted a couple of the larger cages to hang as a corner display at home, but didn't have the courage to risk getting them through customs, so I just bought a few small ones.
 My next trip over, I had decided to buy one and take my chances....
And I couldn't find the shop....
 
 
 
 
I have used 2 sheets of the amazingly beautiful Montage range from Blue Fern Studios. The "Beautiful" title is also Blue Fern.
 
I have also used Scrap Matrix Vintage Trinkets (aged with gesso) and flowers, and a Prima stencil with Tim Holtz Distress Ink (peacock feathers).
 
As soon as I saw this brand - Blue Fern -  I knew we had to have
 it at Scrap Matrix.
It has not long been in store, and already proving popular. The quality is superb, colours are stunning and it just beckons "beautiful' layouts!
There are 2 more ranges - and one coming soon - the Garden and Ombre Dreams, which is now my new favourite range - and so perfect for mixed media backgrounds.
 
The Blue Fern Blog is a beautiful place, check it out here:
 
Thanks for stopping by,
Cheers, Vicki

Thursday 27 November 2014

 Scrapki Wyzwaniowa - Cogs - November Challenge

 
This challenge was very straight forward and perfectly suited to this photo of Zac, I am sure the 'cogs were turning'....
 
 This is my layout featuring Cogs

Concentration Face

 
 
 
 
I used: Bo Bunny - Somewhere in Time paper and some of the ephemera pack that matches (heaps of cogs in there). I also used Finnabair Prima wooden cogs and some Scrap Matrix vintage trinkets cogs.
I made the tag using a tag stencil, texture paste, gelatos, and coloured some cogs with gelatos also.... cogs, cogs, cogs...

Wednesday 26 November 2014

CSI Case File 147 - November

 
This was a bit of a challenge - incorporating the Scheme, Evidence, Testimony - and then the Sketch on top of that!!! A big case to crack!
 
 
 
For someone who does not seem to choose primary colours to scrap with often, I nearly decided not to do this one, but thought I might just flick through some photos, on the off chance something jumped out... well it kind of did, and then it was, well... I will just see what papers are around - and I found some.... so I thought I would have a little play...  

Here is my take on the case:

Last School Pick up - Ever



The Scene: Zac packing the car with all his college possessions on Year 12 Graduation Day - and trying to avoid having his photo taken...
"Mum, please, there are people around and you are embarrassing me!"
 
Like, really, he should be used to that!
 

Evidence:
(I have included links for the products used from Scrap Matrix)
I have used Blue Fern Studio chipboard circles, I have created stripes (as per the sketch background), Zac's quilt cover is plaid (that was a bonus!), polka dot paper (from Fancy Pants Collecting Moments Pants Collecting Moments), grid pattern Kaisercraft Stamp, star stencil (with texture paste) and I have stacked the wooden and paper embellishments, plus, Zac is 'stacking' the car!
 
Testimony:
My stacked wooden speech bubbles are part of my journaling, I am giving my son some advice and I used the words 'day, support and ties'.
 
Have I solved this case????
 
Thanks for stopping by,
Cheers, Vicki

Wednesday 19 November 2014


Scrap 365 - November Challenge

Here is the sketch:

(which I missed the deadline of - who would have thought it would finish in the middle of the month, when it is called November challenge???)
 
 
Anyway, I really like the layout that the sketch inspired -
it just won't  get entered!

Sand Pit Fun

 

 
 
My beautiful little sand pit baby... I think she already drank her sand tea!
I don't usually work well with pastel shades, but I like the way the photo really stands out.
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheers, Vicki

CSI November Case File No. S365-9

Follow this link to see more and to join in!

Here is the case:

 Here is me - solving it!

"Life Always Offers a Second Chance"

 
 
Evidence:
Leaves (on  the transparency and the floral), transportation accents (Melissa Francis resins - depicting the travel I didn't do!), music elements (music transparency and song titles), metal (charms - arrow, camera, passport, eternal hope symbol...), I scattered the flowers - in a cluster! I added string and there are numbers on the clock, and the word Second in the title.
 
Testimony:
I have documented (privately - on tag that says "This Happenned") the events that led to my 4 month, 5 years in the planning 'trip to everywhere'... that was cancelled due to family matters - the day before we were due to leave. I handwrote sing titles that were pertinent to the story.
 
 
 
Here are a couple of close ups, showing the metal charms, resins, scattered flowers and string, all sitting on a printed serviette with a Paris street scene on it - glued to a transparency.
 
 
 
I love this site!
And even though this layout is a record of a very sad time, it was good to get it done - and I am happy I did it for this challenge.
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheers, Vicki

Once Upon a Sketch - November Challenge.

Go to this link to find out more - and to join in!
 
The word that goes with this month's sketch challenge is "Inspire".
 
 
While this photo may not look terribly inspiring (to anyone else!)...
it actually has a lot of meaning for me.  I keep it quite handy, and when I need to remember to 'lighten up' or need a little private giggle,
 this is the photo I go to.
It is inspiration to remind me to enjoy the simple things.
 
It was definitely one of those 'you had to be there' moments.....
I had tears rolling down my face as we thought of different captions.
 
 
I used Pink Paisely patterned paper, Bo Bunny and Kaisercraft stamps,  Scrap Matrix chipboard, flowers and charms, Petaloo flowers and Prima stencil and letter stickers and some mesh tape and assorted sprays.
 
 
 Just a couple of close ups...
 
 
 
How could this layout not be fun, full of inspiration and bring a smile?
 
Cheers, thanks for looking!
Vicki

Tuesday 11 November 2014


CSI November Challenge

Special Collaboration Case File No. CC-3

 
This challenge site really challenges your brain as well as your creativity. I love that the 'clues' - testimony and evidence - are quite prescriptive, but the fact that (besides the colour palette) you only have to choose a few of them to 'solve' the case, the possibilities and scope are huge!
 
Evidence I used:
bird accents, trees and leaves, paint, twigs, string, oval shapes, mixed media. 
Testimony I used:
Handwrite your story.
 
 
Here is a close up of my 'mixed media' background tree! This was defs the extra fun part, creating layers and dimension for the body of the tree. Glimmer Mist Sunflower Sparkle sprayed doily, lime green transparency, Collections Elements chipboard tree, twigs and leaves (painted with Lindy's Stamp Gang Starbursts), heart chipboard 'blooms', crystal stem branches, metal birdie trinkets, pearl 'eggs', and the little chipboard birdhouse, decorated with Prima pearls. And the cute little Studio Calico veneer birds!
 
I have never created a 'scene' in any layout before... but once I started getting inspired making my tree, it kind of just evolved into a scene, with Bree and Tweety standing in the shade of the doily tree!
 
I also used: Blue Fern Ombre Dreams paper, Scrap Matrix embellishments, Prima flowers and leaves, and brown twine.
 
CSI has released another case.... I am off to solve the case!
Cheers, thanks for popping in!
Vicki
 
 

Words and Paintery - November Challenge - Paintery

 
This is a new site, this is their very first challenge- and I think they may just have started with my favourite colour palette, so I couldn't resist playing along with this one. I am sure they would love more players!
And of course, these colours scream Bali to me!
 
 
 

Here is my layout

Treasure the Moment

 
 And a close up of the texture - paste, micro beads, glimmer glass, glass beads and a slash of gesso.

 
I used Blue Fern Ombre Dreams paper and chipboard (title and frame), Amy Tangerine Plus One journaling spot paper.
 
I will be checking out next month's palette for sure!
 

White With 1 - November Challenge - Freesia

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The refreshing colour of cocktails.... the colour of sunshine... the colour of fresh fruit..... and beautiful flowers....  it is a happy summer colour.

This is my layout for this beautiful challenge -

Let The Sunshine...

 
 And a couple of close ups...
 
 This is the first time I have used the Glossy Accents Crackle... and it was accidental! But, I will be using it on purpose now, because I love the effect and it was just too simple - just use it like the regular Glossy Accents!
 
This was a great opportunity (as if you need one!) to use the new Prima Glass Beads, they fitted perfectly with the feel of Bali and drinking cocktails at the beach!
 
Products I used:
Blue Fern Ombre Dreams paper, Petalloo blossoms, Gelatos, Prima Dot Stencil and Texture paste, one Prima resin and Scrap Matrix chipboard (title, dragonflies, flourish border) and Scrap Matrix So Much Metal Vintage Trinkets (Sunnies and flip flops).
 

 
Sketchabilities #126

This is the first time I am playing along with this site - I really liked the sketch and had a lot of fun playing. Two other friends at a retreat I attended on the weekend also had a go at the sketch, but I could not convince them to enter... I may work on that!
This is where you can find the challenge:
 

And this is my take on it - Magical.

The photo was taken the first night Darryl and I were at Niluh's house in Sanur,  Bali. It was pouring with rain, and we watched as the garden filled with water and the frogs came out for a swim. It was truly magical!
 
 
 This is a close up of my favourite part - I used Lindy's Stamp Gang sprays, a lime green transparency, Prima mica flakes, crystal stems and bark wire.
 
 
The only patterned paper used is from 7 Dots Cold Country (which I love - it is so versatile). I also used a black Petaloo doily, some older Prima letter stickers and Pink Paislee Artisan Elements, a border punch and some washi tape.
 
Cheers, Vicki
 

Monday 10 November 2014

Scrap Around The World - November Challenge

This is such a great mood board and immediately made me think of the Balinese way of life....  Their gentle, happy, beautiful nature, and their readiness to see goodness and thankfulness in all things.
Their faith and reverence to their gods must surely attribute to their graciousness and appreciation.
Their love of colour, tradition and nature combined to inspire my layout.

 
http://scraparoundtheworld.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/october-2014-challenge-18-vibrant.html

This is my interpretation... Blessed, the Bali Way.


 
Products used:
Paper - Teresa Collins Life Emporium
Blue Fern Ombre Dreams
Prima letter stickers, text stamp and stencil
Tim Holtz Distress Ink
Tattered Angels Glimmer Glaze
Lindy's Stamp Gang Starburst Spray (Autumn Maple Crimson)
ALL PRODUCTS (except Glimmer Glaze) AVAILABLE AT SCRAP MATRIX)
 
I loved doing this layout - the mood board, as always is inspiring and makes you want to play along!
Cheers, Vicki
 

Thursday 6 November 2014

Just about packed...

I have packed so much stuff, I should probs get 102 layouts done this weekend! I should be on the road by now, but keep thinking of stuff I could/should take? Plus, it is so hot, I now need to get all showered and dressed again. I should have planned my morning better!
Can't wait to get stuck into all these projects I have kitted up!

Monday 3 November 2014

Texture Tuesday at Scrap Matrix

First play with my gelatos on 3 tags... and I am a little excited! I haven't even finished them, but I already love them and am planning a page around one of them!


They sure give another whole 'dimension' to the stamps and stencils in our stashes! I wish I had started playing with these ages ago.
You can find them here:
 

Cheers (just had to share), Vicki